BOLTON actress Beverley Callard has announced she is quitting Coronation Street after nine years in the soap.

Bev, who plays flame-haired Liz McDonald, will leave the top show later this year to appear in pantomime.

Today she said: "I love Coronation Street and I always will. But I just need to play something else for a little while because I'm an actress I need to take on other roles.

"I am not moving on to bigger and better things because as we all know there isn't anything bigger than Coronation Street.

"I would like to take on different roles - perhaps a character who wears longer skirts!" The 40-year-old actress, who lives in Bolton and holds fitness classes in the town, is the latest in a string of long-established stars to leave the Street since the arrival of producer Brian Park.

London-based panto firm AMG is reported to have lined Bev up to perform at venues throughout the country.

But Granada chiefs are not planning to write her out of Coronation Street.

Producer Mr Park said: "Naturally we are sorry to see Bev go . . . we are leaving the door open, as we have discussed her returning to the show at a later stage."

Feisty Liz, famed for her short skirts, has been involved in several explosive storylines during her nine years in the Street.

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